Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-07-14
THE TONlI,S.
A Look into the Great Prison Of the
Metropolis.

What is called the Tombs consists Of
three prisons. The Oldest one is the
place where criminals of the most hard
ened sort are kept. 1t is u long, high,
narrow dungeon with four rows OF cells,
one above the other, and numbering
Iii altogether. A box stands at the
main entrance and an armed guard pro-
tects 1t. Inside two other guides are
stationed. A winding staircase leads
to the top of the building, connected
with Il platform Mt every floor which eX-
tends all around the tier of cells. The
first floor is used entirely for maniacs
and condemned persons. The right
side has borne for many years the title
of 'Murderers' Row. Padded cells for
persons afflicted with homlcidal mani
acs, n hospital cell where sick persons
are treated, aud u Penitentiary cell ior
disciplinary cases occupy the rest of the
floor. On the second tier criminals
whose offenSes are serious but not OF
the capital grade are kept. These are
felons of all kinds. Above them are
misdemeanants. When the old Tombs
is full, it will hold 2ss persons. It's
usual census contains about 1870 names
1t is doubtful if city prison could be
conducted on a better or more humane
principle than prevails here. The dis
cipline is necessarily strict but not Sc
yere. All the work is done by the con-
victs who are there for comparatively
light ofIenses usually ten-day prisoners.
These are permitted to take the first
help at the tables and allowed to eat
in comfort. AS they could have no
possible desire TO run away, their term
being short and the penalty of attempt
ed escapes being severe, they roam a.
bout doing their work without much ih-
reference.
AS in almost all prisons, so in The
Tombs, there are persons wearing the
prison garb who are not in actual con-
tinement. saw an old woman there
who was arrested 20 years ago. She is
now "a confirmed rheumatic, all bent
with age and pain and scarcely able to
get In and out of the invalid chair
where her days and nights were spent,
Her face has drawn tranquil and bene-
flcent in its expression. Years ago she
committed great crime to save her
husband from disgrace. The jury re-
fused to convict her and disagreed. She
stayed on in the Tombs, gradually Sc
curing the confidence of thekeepers un-
til she lost sight of her friends-or they
lost sight of her. She made herself use
full to the matrons and declares now
that her last days, albeit three feet of
rock separate her from freedom, are the
happiest she has ever spent.
An cid silver-headed man is there
too, whose step and bearing have not
lost their dignity despite his suffering
anu ldOOIluuS NOlh. IlC IUUhS do IL iIC
might be eighty years old, but the keep
er told me that he was scarcely sixty.
No one knows much about him now eX-
cept good old Matron French, who has
been there thirty-six years, land they
say the Tombs is not healthy place.,
and Deputy Warden Finley, whose rec
ord is nearly rs long. They meyer an
swer questions ABOUT the old man, for
they would not hurt the old mans feel
ings for the world. / heard, however,
that he had killed man at the behest
of human tigress many years ago.
This old man was tried and convicted.
He got a new trial ani was reconyicted
and got reversal again. He has never
since been tried and there he remains,
sad, bowed, but still showing traces OF
his former grace and strength, saving
and cutting and driving nails, while his
heart is being torn with the teeth of a
relentless memory.-N. y. Tribune.